Giant Baba

Real Name

Baba Shohei

Date of Birth

23 January 1938

Place of Birth

Sanjyo-city, Niigata

Giant Baba is famous as a professional wrestler all over the world,
but most people do not know that he has been a professional baseball
player. He gave up high school and entered the Giants as a
pitcher. But one day he fell down in a bathroom and injured his
shoulder, so he couldn't play baseball anymore.

After that, in 1960, he became a pupil of Rikidozan and became a
professional wrestler. At the same time Antonio Inoki was initiated
into Rikidozan, too. Baba and Inoki debuted in 1960 and they paired up
from 1967 to 1971. The tag name was called BI-Ho(BI cannon). They were
a very strong tag team at that time. But Antonio Inoki established New
Japan pro-wrestling and Giant Baba established All Japan
pro-wrestling, so they couldn't pair up and fight anymore. All
professional wrestling fans want to watch Baba vs Inoki's fighting
even now, but it is impossible, because between All Japan
pro-wrestling and New Japan pro-wrestling have no exchange. It is a
dream for all professional wrestling fans forever.

Baba has been very strong since he debuted, because he is 209cm
tall. And his feet are very big. He has his own technique. It is called "Jurokumon-kick". The "Jurokumon-kick" is the size of his foot. The technique defeated many challengers.

He captured International Heavyweight Championship in 1965 and
defended it 21 times continuously. And in 1974 he captured the NWA
Heavyweight Championship a first for a Japanese.He is also active in TV programes, for example quiz show, variety show.

To our surprise though he is 58 years old now, he is still
active. Certainly he isn't what he used to be, but he wrestles
delightfully. The people who supported him from old times and even the
people who have become professional wrestling fans lately love him
very much.

Update: Giant Baba passed away on February 1, 1999 at the age of 61. He had been profession active until his hospitalization in December.